Patient Support & Advocacy

The Maximize Life Campaign: A Variety of Events but a Shared Message in Latin America

In Latin America, the Maximize Life Campaign has become something like a tradition – a time when each patient organization creates an event or activity of their choice and powers it up for a campaign that takes on a life of its own! 13 patient groups from 11 Latin American countries joined this year's movement, bringing together patients and caregivers with the purpose of telling the community that cancer is an issue, that ignoring it is not going to make it go away, and that the best approach is to learn about it in order to know what to do about it. From governments to the general public, everybody can get involved in figuring out how to treat cancer patients as members of society and not as a burden.

Mercedes Arteaga
Patient Support & Advocacy

The Maximize Life Campaign: South Asia Embraces the Spirit of Max

The Indian subcontinent has always been characterized by the stoic inner strength of its population that has helped them overcome natural and man-made disasters that seem to always be lying in wait for them. Burdened by their large populations, poor economy and the inept administration of their largely unstable governments, it has fallen upon the people to come to their own rescue. And it is not so different for their health either. Besides the share of debilitating infectious diseases, many are facing a rising incidence of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer. The challenges here go beyond funding. There is fear, denial, and the heavy burden of stigma.

Viji Venkatesh
Patient Support & Advocacy

A Heart to Heart Interview About Max, in Honor of His Birth Anniversary on October 19th

Every year, throughout the month of October, we honor Max and his legacy by partnering with our network of cancer organizations to carry out the Maximize Life Global Cancer Awareness Campaign. It is a month of service that aims at decreasing stigma and increasing hope for people living with cancer around the world.

The Max Foundation
Patient Support & Advocacy

The Maximize Life Campaign: Asia Pacific Region Patient Groups Are Telling Their Stories.

Nothing is more powerful than storytelling, especially when it's told from a person's first-hand experience. In the Asia Pacific region, we are often known as “shy” community. We do not often share our stories publicly, especially a story about cancer diagnosis. We often have no one to turn to because we do not want our parents to worry; we do not want our children to feel the burden; we do not want to tell our neighbors who might be starting to avoid us because we are diagnosed with cancer.

Mei Ching Ong
Patient Support & Advocacy

The Maximize Life Campaign: Africa and Middle East

This year, like past years, 16 patient support groups in Africa and Middle East have joined the Maximize Life Campaign with enthusiasm and excitement. All the groups in Africa welcome back our friends from Sierra Leone who inspired us all with their resilience in the face of the Ebola epidemic that touched their country.

The Max Foundation
Patient Support & Advocacy

The 2015 Maximize Life Campaign Has Begun!

October is my favorite month of the year. It marks a changing of the seasons in both the southern and northern hemispheres that brings a sense of reflection and excitement. As such, there could not be a more appropriate month to celebrate theMaximize Life Global Cancer Awareness Campaign, an initiative that encourages people impacted by cancer to reflect on their experiences, celebrate their resiliency, and share their stories with the world.

The Max Foundation
Fundraising & Events

See How You Made a Difference in 2014

We are excited to share our 2014 Annual Report with you! This year, our Annual Report outlines how The Max Foundation is building on its mission to increase global access to treatment, care, and support. We detail how our organization is building ecosystems that help people facing cancer in a myriad of ways: from medical treatment to emotional support; from patient education to community engagement. Throughout the report, we feature patient leaders who work to give back to their community. And of course, we transparently report on our finances.

The Max Foundation
Education & Training

Nurses Filling the Gap for Patients in Southern Africa

In an ideal world, a diagnosed cancer patient would receive disease and treatment information from their physician and healthcare workers at the clinic. With access to technology, they would broaden their knowledge and gain additional support from a patient group. Family and community members would also play a supportive role in searching for information and support.

Catherina Scheepers
Fundraising & Events Patient Support & Advocacy

Chai for Cancer USA on the Road

This summer, India Country Head Viji Venkatesh is crisscrossing the USA to host Chai for Cancer addas and share The Max Foundation vision. Started in India, Chai for Cancer is our global initiative to invite our community to partner with us. There have already been a number of events in Houston, Charlotte, and New Jersey with more to come!

The Max Foundation
Partner Spotlight

Max CEO’s Ongoing Commitment to Treatment Access Solutions Recognized by iCMLf ERSAP Prize

We’re often reminded of why we put an effort in supporting people facing cancer – whether it comes through a patient story or through an organization’s investment in our work. This week, we humbly received another reminder: on Friday, May 22, the International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Foundation awarded our CEO Pat Garcia-Gonzalez with the inaugural ERSAP (Emerging Region Support and Partnership) Prize. The iCMLf Directors and Scientific Advisors selected Pat because of her continued commitment, and The Max Foundation’s aim, to help people face cancer with dignity and hope.

The Max Foundation
Education & Training Patient Support & Advocacy

What is a Mela? More About Leadership Summit 2015

Our Guest Bloggers collaborating on this summit overview are members of The Max Foundation team based in India who led and participated in the Friends of Max 2015 Leadership Summit. They include Shilpi Sirohi Singh, Ashika Naik, Ameya Surve, and Priyanka Kandalgaokar. In India, the word "Mela" means 'gathering' or 'to meet' or a 'fair'. India is a land of fairs and festivals – every month there are festivals held throughout the different regions of India.

The Max Foundation
Education & Training

Learning About Leadership from Friends of Max in India

Last month, Friends of Max (FOM), the support group arm of The Max Foundation (Max) in India gathered for their second Leadership Summit in Hyderabad. Friends of Max is a charitable trust registered in India comprised of individuals impacted directly and indirectly by chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). More than 120 City Chapter leaders and the whole team from The Max Foundation in India attended the meeting on 18th and 19th April 2015. This event rallied advocates and practitioners who serve and support people living with cancer in India. It was a full couple of days!

The Max Foundation